156 Responses

Yes and no. I feel that paying the 250.00 would ease the defict and keep our taxes low. No due to why should the town residents suffer due to some idiot who cant run office. I think we all know who that is.

If a one-shot tax levy would really close the deficit, and if Mrs Mahan can enforce the kind of spending discipline she’s talked about, I could support it. It would make sense to do as much as possible without taking on even more debt, through deficit financing.

How good is this going to be for the economy? I will literally be taking the extra money that the Federal government is giving us and instead of going out to spend it to boost the economy, it will go to the Town of Colonie to pay off a debt created due to mismanagement of funds. It just doesn’t seem to be doing “the right thing” to me. I think the board needs to go back to the “drawing board” and bang out a few more ideas.

I believe that the taxpayer should NOT be responsible for the mismanagement by Colonie officials. I think there should be another way to solve this issue. Why burden the taxpayer with more taxes? Our taxes are already hurting the elderly and people that are just struggling to get by from paycheck to paycheck. Maybe this should be thought out more carefully then just to dump it onto the taxpayer.

So much for our “govt incentive checks coming” why not just fork that over to town of colonie! honestly, it always comes down to the residents that have to pay for what the town did, was I ever told the town had financial issues, what could I possibly do? Do I tell the town I have bills I cant pay and can I make them pay them for me? I dont think so but of course we have to pay the town. honestly, i can see myself out of my house in the next couple years at this rate with economy and taxes increase all the time, when will something ever go down! And even better make the bill due at the time of School taxes or property taxes so just more money to come up with once a year. I like the towns that allow you to pay the taxes in installments alot more manageable but that wont happen. I just hope she holds truth to the “ONE TIME” payment and I dont see another “oops!” we need some more money from you all.

According to an article in the Daily Gazette on Thursday, February 7, 2008, Town Supervisor Paula Mahan said that in 2002 the town had a $12.5 million surplus. In 2002, Mary Brizzell was Colonie’s Town Supervisor. Now, in 2008, we are faced with an $18 million budget deficit and a one-time tax at an average of $250?

Mary Brizzell and her administration must be arraigned on criminal charges. Who’s lining their pockets with this money? Something is rotten in all New York politics from the Governor’s office all the way down to the scumbags that run local government.

We’re the slaves of the phony leaders. Why should we pay even more money into our dying nation?

“Republicans have argued that the landfill debt should not count and that the Democrats, including DiNapoli’s office, have made the problem seem worse for political gain.”

Just like how Bush argues that the cost of the Iraq occupation shouldn’t count, and that the Democrat’s insistence on reality is just “politics”. Sad to say, the Repug mindset exists at all levels.

The tax is inevitable. Of course, spending should be cut also, but it will raise just as many accusations of partisanship, as everybody tries to save their pet project at the expense of someone else’s. At least the tax does much of the job quickly.

Every once in awhile, I think records that track how people vote would be handy to have. This is one of those times, so the people who kept voting for the Repug administration that created this disaster, can be the ones who have to pay to fix it. Then if it works in Colonie, iomagine it at the national level. Aaaah, the happy stuff of dreams.

I would have to disagree with Democrat Supervisor Paula Mahan when she stated that a majority of the residents in the town are prepared to pay A LOT MORE in taxes. I don’t know if Mrs. Mahan is aware or not, but the Town of Colonie has the largest senior population in Albany County. What’s so significant about this? Most seniors in the town are on fixed incomes and they already juggle between paying their taxes, paying for medical needs, purchasing fuel or buying groceries. Seniors in this town don’t have the luxury of making over $100,000 per year like Supervisor Mahan. A $250 tax payment could mean groceries for a month for a senior, or assisting with medical needs. Paula, I urge you to table this idea and come up with some more creative ways to solve our alleged financial situation in our great town.

Paula inherited a lousy deal…left by Mary Brizzell….no I’m not happy about the proposal, but it seems to be the quickest way to get things done. Let’s hope that now that we have Democrats in control, that Colonie will never have to face this crisis again.

This is not fair to taxpayers! Why should taxpayers make up for gross negligence and lack of oversight? I would like to know how this was not detected by audit protocols and how often the Comptroller looks at these books. Are the officials that were in charge of this money being investigated? This is craziness. This country needs reform. We, the tax base, are sick of this frivalous spending and waste. We can not afford to hold this country up anymore!!!!!

So my “refund” from my federal taxes is supposed to stimulate the economy? Now it will go to pay the “one time” extra tax on my home and two businesses we own. Has the town gone after those who are behind in their taxes?

So, I see Colonie took my colleague and my suggestion and are looking at a one-shot deal to clear the deficit. My only other suggestion is once we do this, the Town needs to get their act together and not get us into this deficit situation again.

The one time tax is a great idea. It’s very equitable based on affordability. The timing coincides with the federal tax rebates, which Colonie taxpayers could use to pay the one-time tax, which would be deductible on their 2008 tax returns. Seems like a relatively painless plan.

It is unfortunate that we taxpayers must pull our municipality out of the hole because of mismanagement of the town’s funds. It isn’t the first time this has happened nor will it be the last!

This just reinforces the fact that we must be vigilant in insuring that those representing us in our township are responsible. The former regime should have had annual audits of the towns’ finances. They should have made corrections each year. All politics aside, if expenses rise they must be covered in the next budget.

It’s the same old scenario, keeping their position is their top priority. It is just so they can say “no tax increase”. This is not prudent nor fair to its residents and businesses. They should be held accountable.

I think this is fair. I’ve lived in Colonie my whole life and never thought things were this bad. I was always under the assumption that the town was fairly affluent and responsible with its finances. But its not surprising though, that after 80+ years of one-party rule, there was bound to be abuses. I think the one-time tax is fair, as long as it doesn’t make an appearance again anytime soon.

No I dont think the tax is fair just because brizzell built a useless park in south colonie why should i have to pay. Maybe we should fire the rest of her family from town jobs and also check for money that was taken to line the family pockets.We could also sell of some of the land that this useless park has..

As a town taxpayer, I find a one time assessment more palatable than a long term tax increase. However, I think the businesses in Colonie and the over $400,000 home assessments should pay a larger share so that the lower assessed and fixed income people don’t bear a larger burden than absolutely necessary. Before I pay any more money to bail out the town, I want to know more about the mismanagement and inappropriate use of tax monies. I have a right to know if I am being asked to pay for this mismanagement. It boggles the mind to think of how we got from a major surplus to a major deficit so quickly. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants answers. KM

With all these constant increases happening all around us, I just don’t know how folks are going to make their ends meet. We pay high property taxes as it is. What more do these people want from us? Gas prices are through the roof, food is expensive, school taxes are high. It’s like living with a bunch of vampires trying their best to suck the average homeowner bone-dry. Where are people suppose to get the extra money from? When it it going to stop?? No wonder why folks are moving out of New York, or defaulting on their mortgages.

As usual, the middle class homeowner has to pay the price. Why not cut a few of those absurd social programs and/or take monies from the vast “education empire” that is currently plaguing the middle class homeowner. I guess they are safe target for the politicos.